Malaria survivor Charlie Webster heads to Uganda to help tackle disease that almost killed her

The former Sky Sports presenter, who was given just 24 hours to live after contracting the deadly condition, can no longer drink alcohol, eat salt or take anti-inflammatory drugs because of the kidney damage she suffered while she was ill

By Giulia Crouch in Uganda

8th April 2018, 10:30 pm

Updated: 9th April 2018, 11:45 am

By Giulia Crouch in Uganda

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IT’S a hot, muggy day out in Africa, the drone of insects filling the air as the mercury rises past 30C.

Yet Charlie Webster is wearing woolly leggings, thick socks and has a long-sleeved shirt tied to her waist, ready to wear.

Having caught malaria while cycling to Rio, she came to associate her bike with malaria and developed a fear of getting back in the saddle.

MALARIA: THE FACTS

Half of the world is still at risk from malaria

A child dies from the disease every two minutes

It costs less than a cup of tea to treat

Western Europe eliminated malaria in the 1960s

90% of the Commonwealth population live in malaria-affected countries

Deaths from the disease have been halved in recent years

Around 1,500 people every year return to the UK with the disease

She says: “I used to look at my bike and start crying. I built it up so much in my head.”

But seeing that they are essential in the fight against malaria in Uganda, Charlie decided to get back on a bike and cycle alongside the health worker.

She says: “I felt alive and really invigorated.

“It was so special to do it in an environment where the people are desperately trying to fight what nearly killed me.

“It gave me a huge perspective. It made my fear very trivial.”

Charlie says her illness and subsequent trip to Uganda taught her a lot about life.

She explains: “I thought I was indestructible. I knew I’d get through stuff because I’m a really focused and determined person but this has taught me that one minute you can be absolutely fine and the next, fighting for your life.

She says: “As an adult you have to fight against those feelings of ‘What did I do?’ or ‘I’m not worthy because of this’.

“I look at who I am now and I’m really proud.”

Charlie believes bad experiences happen for a reason.

She says: “Maybe I went through those things to be able to try to stop them.

“It’s easy to run away from things but I didn’t fight for my life to live half of who I am.”

As a charity ambassador, Charlie is due to speak at a malaria summit in London next week.

James Whiting, executive director of Malaria No More UK, says: “Charlie’s story brings a message of hope, this is a fight we can win.

“When London hosts 53 Commonwealth heads of government, there’s a chance for Theresa May and other leaders to take united action that puts the world on a faster path towards a malaria-free world — saving lives and changing the course of history.”

The Malaria Action Program for Districts is implemented by Malaria Consortium and made possible through the generous support from British and American people through UK Aid and USAID. For more information on preventing the spread of malaria, please visit Malaria Must Die.